by Alison Pensy
The others shook their heads before looking back to Faedra.
"You look gorgeous," Zoe said.
"Absolutely stunning," Amy agreed.
"Frederick is a lucky man," Nicki continued.
A crease appeared in Faedra's brow.
"Frederick...Your husband-to-be?" Zoe said with disbelief.
"Fae, don't tell me you've forgotten who you're getting married to," Nicki said, and her three human bridesmaids fell into giggles.
Actually, for a split second, Faedra had forgotten. In this world she wasn't marrying Faen but his alter ego, Frederick. Faedra and Jocelyn locked gazes, having their own unspoken conversation. She was going to have to be careful. She was living a different life in this world now. Faedra had to keep her other life secret at all costs. Faedra plastered a smile on her face and joined in with her other friend’s good humor. At least she'd gotten away with it that time.
Her four bridesmaids stood to either side of Faedra in front of the huge mirror in the viewing area. Her friends looked stunning in their strapless, deep claret dresses. The bodices were fitted, laced at the back. They hugged the body to about mid-thigh, then swept down to the floor with a sleek fishtail at the back. A slow approving smile curved the lips of all five girls as they studied their reflections.
Faedra pulled her friends in for a hug. "Perfect," she whispered.
"Perfect," they agreed.
***
The bells were clanging their joyful wedding announcement as Faedra and her dad pulled up outside the church on a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon. The limo driver got out and opened the door for her dad. Henry then turned and offered his daughter his hand.
"Well, darling. Here we go again," he said with a wink as Faedra planted a foot on the curb, pulling herself up out of the car. Her bridesmaids were already out of their car and helping straighten out her train as she stood.
She looped her arm through her dad's, and they started up the gravel path to the church. All the guests were seated inside now. Faedra fleetingly wondered what Faen looked like in his morning suit. Her dad looked exceptional in his. The neatly tailored cut of the charcoal suit fit him perfectly. It was accented by a silver gray waistcoat and the cravat at his throat matched the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses. He puffed out his chest, obviously proud to be walking his daughter down the aisle for a second time in as many weeks.
As they opened the door, the organ quickly changed tune and the wedding march echoed around the small church. Guest's heads turned as if they were all connected. The odd 'ooh and ahh' was murmured throughout the pews. Well-wishing smiles met Faedra's as she scanned the small sanctuary that was just big enough to accommodate her World of Men friends and family, plus a few others that weren't so human.
Faedra's gaze finally lit upon her already-husband and she sucked in a sharp breath. Faen's smile lit up his face. Faedra felt sure her legs were going to turn to jelly. Oh, boy, did he look good in a morning suit. There was just something about a man in coat tails that made her go weak at the knees. He wore the same suit as her dad, only, being the groom, his waistcoat was gold instead of silver. Etyran, acting as Faen's best-man once more, didn't look half bad either. Faedra heard Jocelyn's intake of breath and could feel her emotions. Apparently, their men's attire was having the same effect on her.
"Wow," Amy whispered. "You are so lucky, Fae. He looks gorgeous."
Faedra didn't really hear her friend, her focus was entirely on the man who stood waiting for her at the altar. At least this time around, she didn't have to walk as far to reach him. Several strides later, her father was releasing her arm as she stood next to Faen. Her bridesmaids filtered off to stand at one side of the altar, and she handed her bouquet to Nicki, who was her maid of honor. The music faded; silence filled the church as the vicar cleared his throat to start the ceremony.
Faedra couldn't help but smile, and wondered what her family and friends would think if they knew half of the congregation and wedding party weren't even human. Oh, what a world she had fallen into.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." the vicar started. Then all else faded into the background as Faen took hold of her hands. They both went through the motions, answering when asked a question, unable to tear their eyes away from each other. It was merely a formality after all. To all intents and purposes, they were already married.
"You may now kiss the bride," the vicar said. Meaning they had obviously answered their questions correctly.
Faen leaned in. Faedra leaned in. Family and friends started clapping. Just as Faen's lips grazed his wife's, the church door slammed open with such force it silenced the whole congregation. Faedra and Faen jerked their heads towards the intruders just as the rest of the crowd did. All eyes were on the two gangly men, dressed in black that strode into the church. Surprise and anxiety flooded the church. Faedra swallowed hard to push down the sudden surge of energy. Every set of eyes followed the harried newcomers as they stalked up the aisle towards the newlyweds.
When they reached Faedra, the Messengers dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.
"Your Highness," one of the slightly breathless men said.
Confused murmurs spread around the onlookers, as guests turned to each other with perplexed looks on their faces.
Faedra's eyes widened at his announcement. What was he thinking? Didn't he know how dangerous this talk was?
Faedra cast a wary glance around the church before bringing it back to the two Messengers kneeling before her. Her face paled. She swallowed when she saw a shiny substance covering one of their black tunics. Blood. Something was wrong, something was very, very wrong. Sensing her anxiety, Faen held his wife with a steadying arm around her back.
"What's going on, Fae?"
She heard Zoe's question whisper at the edge of her consciousness as she leaned towards the two men at her feet. Her hands started shaking even before they spoke.
"Your Highness, we have distressing news," one of the Messengers whispered.
"It is your father. He has been gravely injured," the other interjected.
"But Henry's standing right here." she heard Amy whisper.
Faedra brought her hand to her mouth and took a step back. Henry, Etyran, and Jocelyn moved closer.
"Where is he?" Faen asked.
"We were able to get him out of Azran. We took him to the only place we knew as safe...the cottage."
Faedra pushed past the Messengers and took off down the aisle. Tears now burgeoning at the corners of her eyes. Before she reached the door, they were sliding down her cheeks.
Faen was hot on her heels, running through the baffled conversation that was now blossoming through the guests and echoing around the church. He looked back. "Jocelyn, Messengers," he commanded. "You're with me."
Jocelyn acknowledged her brother with a curt nod and split from the group of bridesmaids. The Messengers arose and also acknowledged their prince's command with a curt nod.
"Etyran, Henry, we will meet you there," Faen continued.
Both men acknowledged with the same curt nods. He then spied Alyssa and the dragons in the pews. "You, too," he said, just as he reached the door. They stood and filed out from their pew.
Faen scooped up his bride as soon as he stepped foot outside the church and took to the air. Jocelyn and the Messengers followed suit close behind him, and they headed towards the cottage.
"Glamour!" Faedra shouted as she watched her other three bridesmaids and her uncle Leo burst out of the church behind her dad, Etyran, and the guests Faen had asked to follow, who were now running full pelt down the gravel path.
Her friends and uncle stared goggle eyed up at the sky. A second later, the airborne were all cloaked, but she continued to watch as Amy, Zoe, Nicki, and her uncle looked at each other, then back at the sky. Shortly after, the other guests started emerging from the tiny church doorway. Thank goodness, they hadn't seen the group take flight.
Just as Faedra pulled her attention away from t
he church, she saw her bridesmaids and her uncle take off after her dad, Etyran, and the others. She drew in a deep breath. Unwittingly, her family and best friends had just been dragged into her other world. A world, it now seemed, had become even more dangerous.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
As soon as Faen touched the ground, Faedra jumped from his arms and ran to the front door. She burst into the living room and looked around. "Father!" she yelled, moving into the dining room. It was empty. "Father!" she yelled again.
"Up here," a voice called from her bedroom. Faedra looked up the stairs, grabbed a fistful of material in each hand, hiked up her dress, and took the steps two at a time. The door at the top was open. When she reached it, she stopped dead in her tracks causing her husband to almost knock her over; he was so close behind her.
Her father was laid out on her bed. Sitting beside him was a wise looking old man, his face awash with many years of wear and tear. She had met him once before. His name was Bedowen, the castle's physician. Bedowen turned when she took a step into the room. His grave eyes met her worried ones.
"I fear I can do no more, My Lady," he said, lowering his head.
As Faedra approached her bed, she could see the blood… it was everywhere. Tears slid down her cheeks. Her father lay motionless on top of her cream comforter. He was pale, so very pale. His green velvet tunic was soaked in his own blood.
"Who did this?" Faedra asked Bedowen, tearing her eyes from his to look at her father.
"Zaven's men," Bedowen replied.
Faedra's gaze returned to the old physician. "Z-Zaven? But...why?" she murmured. She knew she didn't trust him, but this? She didn't want to think him capable of this.
Bedowen lowered his head again. "It was his plan all along, My Lady. We found out about it too late. His men were taking a while to deconstruct their camp. Now we know why. They were waiting for all the other participants of the tournament to return home. After you left for the World of Men, he struck with force. Azran is under siege."
Faedra took a hesitant step closer. Bedowen stood and moved back from the bed allowing Faedra to sit beside her father. He stirred as the mattress dipped. His eyelids fluttered open, and he offered his daughter a weak smile.
"My child," he whispered. His eyes were soft and loving, his voice hoarse and shaky. "I need you to do something for me."
Faedra moved closer, leaning her face over his to hear him better. "Anything, Father. You only have to ask."
"Rescue your sister."
Faedra sat up. Of all the things she expected him to ask of her, that was not one of them.
"This is much to ask of you, I know," the king continued, noticing Faedra recoil. "But she is my daughter, too, and, for all her faults...I love her."
Faedra looked up at Faen, who was standing by her side. Jocelyn and the two Messengers were standing behind him, their expressions grave. If her sister's track record was anything to go by, it was probably her who had instigated this attack in the first place.
The king spluttered a cough, forcing Faedra's attention back to him.
"Father, you will heal soon. You can rescue her yourself and lead a counterattack on Zaven." Try as she might, Faedra couldn't hide the hint of desperation in her voice.
"No, my child. I fear my time has come." The king closed his eyes.
"No!" Faedra cried, shaking her father by the shoulder. "You'll heal. You can't leave me, I'm not ready for this...not yet."
There was a bustling behind her as Etyran, Henry, the vicar, Alyssa and the dragons burst into the bedroom. Gasps bounced off the walls as they shuffled around the bed and witnessed for the first time the grave nature of the situation.
The king's eyes opened again and he drew in a raspy breath. "The Alsians want the World of Men," the king wheezed. "Azran is the only thing standing in their way. I have locked down all the portals, but you know how to get back there."
Faedra looked up at the vicar who nodded back at her.
"Save Azran, Faedra. Save your sister. You are the only one with enough power..." his voice trailed off, and he closed his eyes. Faedra let loose a strangled sob as she felt her father's life energy leave his body.
"No!" Faedra cried, throwing herself across his chest and holding him tight, as though this very action alone would hold his life force to his body. A few seconds later, she sat up with a start. Her pristine ivory dress now stained a deep blood red.
"Savu," she whispered.
Murmurs resonated around the gathered onlookers as Faedra laid her hands on her father's chest.
Just as she closed her eyes, she heard exaggerated gasps as her three friends and her uncle joined the growing crowd in the bedroom. She heard her dad try to explain to the newcomers what was going on before she shut everything out and went in search of the light.
***
She could do this, she had done it once before. If she could save Faen, she was sure she could save her father, she just had to find the light. Faedra searched through her mind, running down imaginary corridors and throwing open every imaginary door she came across. Up ahead, she saw it. Light peeked out from underneath a closed door. She ran to it, throwing the door open. The power of the light hit her with such a force she sucked in a sharp breath.
"What is she doing?" Leo asked, more than a little distressed. "We need to call an ambulance."
"No!" Henry said, clapping a firm hand around his brother's arm. Leo shot his big brother an incredulous glare.
"Who is that man?" Leo continued. "Why is he here?"
"Leo, I will explain everything later, but right now, I need for you to be quiet," Henry said, trying to placate his brother. "Faedra needs to concentrate,"
"Concentrate? Concentrate on what exactly? For God's sake, Henry, have you gone mad? There's a dead man on your daughter's bed, for crying out loud. And who are all these other..." he looked around at the gathered crowed, "...other people?"
Leo's attention was dragged from his brother by sharp gasps of surprise from his wife, Nicki and Faedra's other two bridesmaids.
"Oh, my God," the three girls whispered. Zoe was pointing towards the bed. Leo turned his head and inhaled a sharp breath himself. His niece was glowing. The light was spreading from her hands to the dead man's chest.
"So beautiful," Amy whispered.
"How is she doing that?" murmured Nicki.
"More's the point, what exactly is she doing?" Leo asked.
"She's healing her father," Henry replied, oblivious to the fact that he had just opened up another set of flood gates of questions from his brother.
"Her father?" Leo murmured. "She found her biological father? I thought he was dead. Why didn't you tell me?"
Henry drew his eyes away from Faedra for a brief moment and looked at his brother. "It's complicated."
There was a groan from the bed.
"It's working," Jocelyn breathed and wrapped her arm around Etyran, leaning into his warm bulk of a body. "She's doing it."
Faedra opened her eyes just as her father opened his. Their gazes met, and they both smiled. Faedra's heart exploded with the love she felt flowing from him, then cried out as pain shot up her arms. But it wasn't hers, it was the king's. Her father's eyes widened, then scrunched closed as the pain grew stronger.
"No!" Faedra screamed, squeezing her eyes shut and concentrating harder.
The light was being pulled away from the king's body. It radiated towards the diamond cuff on Faedra's wrist. The more light she tried to radiate, the brighter the diamond cuff became. She could see the light in her mind's eye being drawn down her arm and dissipating from her soul.
"Faedra, stop!" Faen shouted. "It's a trap!" He lunged forward and grabbed her shoulders only to be flung backwards with a force that threw him into the Messengers.
"Faen!" Faedra beseeched. "I can't stop it. Help me!"
The light ebbed away, and Faedra was ensconced in darkness. Only the glow of the cuff could be seen through the shadow that surrounded the Custodian.
Wind started to howl within the bedroom.
Amy, Zoe and Nicki clung to each other. Their hair, loosed from their coiffed dos, whipped about their heads.
"We have to do something!" Leo shouted above the roar of the wind that was creating a vortex in the small bedroom.
"I don't know what we can do!" Henry shouted back. "If dragons and fae can't touch her, we have no chance."
Leo gaped at his brother. "Did you just say dragons?"
"Yes, and fae."
"What the hell have you gotten yourself into?"
Before Henry could answer, a pulse ripped out from Faedra's cuff knocking the inhabitants of the room to the floor before being sucked back into the diamond encrusted piece fitted snugly around her wrist. Faedra's eyes rolled back into her head as consciousness betrayed her. The princess fell forward, draped over her father's corpse on the bed. Silence blanketed the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY
As the dust settled on Faedra's bedroom, coughs and groans bounced off the walls. Members of the group started to sit up and drag themselves back into the here and now. Faen shook his head, dispersing the fuzzies that addled his brain, and pushed himself off the floor. "Faedra!" He sat on the bed and pulled Faedra's limp body away from her father's. Her dress was covered in blood, as were her arms, hands, and one side of her face. Her head slumped forward as Faen drew her to him. She was still breathing, at least. Faen pulled some of her now sticky hair away from her face. Willing her to stay asleep, knowing she would be devastated when she awoke.
One by one, the crowd rose from the floor and straightened themselves out. Leo rubbed his head and looked over to the girls from where he was still sitting on the floor. He got up onto his knees and crawled over to where his wife, Amy and Zoe were just starting to push themselves onto their elbows.
"Are you all okay?" he asked.
